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Communication 141X: Fundamentals of Oral Communication – Public Context
Syllabus Addendum – Fall 2013
WHY THIS COURSE? WHAT DOES IT COVER?
Communication 141X is a key course in the UAF Core Curriculum, which all students
must complete, and which is designed to provide students with a shared foundation of skills and
knowledge for further study. The Communication component of the Core Curriculum is
designed to provide “multidimensional competency in written and oral English—including
comprehension of complex materials and creation of clearly organized presentations of soundly
reasoned thought in both oral and written form.” Comm 141X and Comm 131X focus on
developing student’s skills in oral communication, while courses like English 111X, 211X, and
213X focus on written communication. The Core Curriculum also involves completing upper
division oral-intensive and written-intensive courses to further develop these skills in advanced
coursework related to one’s major or minor. By University policy, Comm 141X or 131X must
be completed successfully prior to enrolling in upper division oral intensive credits.
Comm 141X focuses on two key areas. First, the course also focuses on developing
skills for effectively organizing and presenting information in public settings. You will become
competent and comfortable in the public presentation process through in-class participation and
observation, and will be expected to become both adept presenters and thoughtful audience
members. One may know a great deal, but without the ability to inform others clearly about
what one knows, or to persuade them, that knowledge is useless. Being able to communicate
well in public situations is one mark of an effective university graduate. Second, Comm 141X,
like other courses in the Core Curriculum, focuses on developing skills for thinking critically,
whether one is designing one’s own presentation or listening to the presentations of others.
The skills you will develop and the experience provided in this class are intended to help
prepare you not only for further university coursework, but also for life experience beyond your
education. Corporations and other organizations that recruit UAF graduates have noted that our
students are often stranded in entry-level positions due to their lack of understanding about how
to effectively present their ideas to others. Research shows that nationally, a lack of ability to
communicate is the leading cause of career stasis across American businesses.
Again, Comm 141X is a course focused on developing SKILLS in developing and
presenting effective informative and persuasive presentations, as well as on strengthening critical
thinking skills. Like developing any other skill, one only improves by PRACTICING the skill,
and practice, both in and outside of class, is an essential part of doing well in this course. Do not
expect this course to be easy. The University of Alaska Fairbanks expects that you will spend
at least two hours working, reading, and studying outside of class for every hour you spend in
class. For a 3 hour, 3 credit class like COMM 141X, that’s six hours a week outside of class.
Expect to spend at least that much time outside of class as a minimum requirement for doing
well. It is advisable that you check the course catalogue for the final drop date for this semester if
you anticipate any possibility that this course will require too much time and/or discipline at this
point in your academic career.
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WORDS OF ADVICE:
This course places a major emphasis on individual speaking skills. If this focus on
individual speaking is a concern for you, your alternative is to enroll in Comm 131X.
And: This course requires extensive reading and class participation. If your schedule does not
permit you to dedicate time and effort to the course, then please drop this course now. Other
students are counting on you to be productive. If you are not, this factor may alienate others in
class and cause you to lose credibility with your peers and instructor. Making effective public
presentations is a skill that each student will be developing throughout the semester. Like any
skill, learning to deliver an effective presentation takes time to achieve. Each student must be
prepared to spend that time in class and outside of class.
It is advisable that you check the course catalog for the final drop date for this semester if
you anticipate any possibility that this course will require too much time and/or discipline
at this point in your academic career.
TEXTS:
O’Hair, D., Stewart, R., & Rubenstein, H. (2010). A Speaker’s Guidebook: Text &
Reference (4th ed.). New York: Bedford/St. Martins.
Department of Communication. (2010). Comm 141X: Supplementary Information Packet
(7th ed.). Fairbanks, AK (Note that this is a required text in the course.)
ATTENDANCE:
This class is carefully designed as a hands-on workshop in public presentation. Because of its
compressed time structure and the nature of its substance, attendance is simply mandatory.
Nothing less will be acceptable. Roll will be called by instructor and/or maintained by a sign-in
sheet at the beginning of each class. If a student is not present, she or he will lose points from
the total points earned during the semester. Tardiness is the equivalent of absence in terms of
lost points. Come to class ON TIME! You are responsible for managing your own
attendance. If you miss a class session due to illness or an emergency, contact your instructor
(by email or phone) by the end of the work day of the absence to report your absence. A set of
good practices to implement at the very beginning of this course is to: (1) read the course
policies thoroughly, (2) make emailing your instructor a primary way to track course questions,
concerns, and absences as this practice provides you and your instructor with a documentation
trail in the event there are any questions about attendance, etc., and (3) make friends with one of
your classmates so that you two can share class notes and in-class verbal instructions in case of
an absence.
The number of points deducted for each class absence depends on the schedule for the
class, as follows:
For MWF classes: 10 points deducted for each absence
For T/TH classes: 15 points deducted for each absence
For 3 hour evening or Saturday classes: 30 points deducted for each absence
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Absence or tardiness on the day of any scheduled presentation will result in a deduction of
up to DOUBLE the number of points listed above. Absence on a day when one of YOUR
presentations is scheduled can result in “0” (zero) points for the presentation.
All students are expected to attend every class and the final exam. You are also responsible for
in-class activities (which cannot be made up). There are some circumstances for which absence
is unavoidable, such as illness or family emergency. Your instructor must be notified of an
absence before or on the day it occurs either through a phone message or via e-mail, and receive
documentation of the reason as soon as possible thereafter. There will be no accommodation for
students who are absent on the day of the scheduled final exam.
OTHER KEY POLICIES:
COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT EXPECTATIONS AND POLICIES: In addition to the
information in this syllabus, YOU are responsible for knowing the information on Department
policies with regard to courses that is included on pages 10-12.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION PACKET: YOU are also responsible for knowing the
information on the course and on assignments that is included in the Supplementary Information
Packet, which is a required text for this course.
CELL PHONES & LAPTOPS: Because of the distractions they create, you will need to turn off
your cell phone, preferably before you enter the classroom, and in all cases before class actually
begins. Laptops are not to be used in class, except by instructor permission or as needed because
of a documented disability.
STUDENT SUPPORT: Your instructor will work with the Office of Disabilities Services (203
WHIT, 474-7043) to provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities. Any
student requiring special accommodations for learning and/or physical disabilities or situational
difficulties that may affect class performance should discuss the situation with me after class or
make an appointment to discuss the issue in my office.
OUT OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS will be typed and proofread. NO excuses regarding typing
or computer problems will be accepted. You are no longer in high school and are required to type
and proofread your work. There are many resources at UAF to assist you with this, including the
Writing Center located in Gruening (8th Floor). EXCEPTION: Note cards for presentations may
be neatly handwritten.
INSTRUCTOR ASSISTANCE AND THE SPEAKING CENTER:
Asking for help is an excellent idea. In so far as your Instructor can facilitate without interfering
with the group dynamic that is a major purpose of this course, she or he is anxious to help
students overcome potential problems and difficulties. The time to ask for help is BEFORE the
day the assignment is due!
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All students have access to the services of the UAF Speaking Center located in room 507 of
the Gruening Building. Your instructor will provide you with more information on what
the Speaking Center can provide, and the hours it will be open this semester.
POLICIES ON STUDENT PRESENTATIONS:
Never EVER walk into the classroom while a presentation is in progress. Such
interruptions can be quite disruptive, particularly for persons who are not comfortable
speaking in front of an audience. Be considerate of each other. Wait until the presentation is
finished before entering the room. Please leave all pagers and cell phones outside of the
classroom or turned off during all class time.
As a part of this course, student presentations may be videotaped. Such taping is done as a
part of the evaluation of both the individual and groups. Videotapes are considered a part
of the educational record and are treated with the same confidentiality as all student
records. Nobody else will see a student’s taped presentation except the student and the
instructor, or a persons with a valid educational reason within the University.
It is Department of Communication policy that any student failure to give the first,
diagnostic presentation will result in the student being dropped immediately from the
course. Student failure to give other presentations may result in the student being dropped
at the discretion of the Instructor.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS WILL NOT BE READ NOR MEMORIZED! Doing so will
result in a SIGNIFICANT loss of points in four of the speaking competencies (numbers 1,
6, 7, and 8).
All interaction in the classroom is to be consistent with the American Psychological Association
standards for ethical behavior with regard to using inclusive language in when interacting with
others is expected from each student and the instructor. These guidelines are included in the
Supplementary Information Packet, Appendix V. The topic will also be covered in class. In
addition, behavior consistent with the Credo for Ethical Communication of the National
Communication Association, which has been adopted by the Department of Communication, and
can be found in Appendix VI in the Supplementary Information Packet.
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT:
Anyone observed cheating on an examination or assignment will receive a “0” for that
examination or assignment. Anyone found to have used someone else’s work without crediting
that person (plagiarizing) will receive an “F” for the course and will face further actions at the
discretion of the University. When in doubt, always identify your sources. See the Department
of Communication Expectations and Policies, pp. 10-12, for a more complete discussion of
plagiarism.
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STUDENT’S ASSIGNMENT GRADE TRACKING SHEET
Grade Tracking Sheet
POINTS
POSSIBLE
Diagnostic Presentation
CUMULATIVE
POINTS
No points
Informative Presentation
Outline
100 points, I got
25 points, I got
100 points
125 points
Informative/Visual aid Presentation
Outline
100 points, I got
25 points, I got
225 points
250 points
Midterm (or cumulative quizzes)
100 points, I got
350 points
Persuasive Presentation 1
Outline
150 points, I got
25 points, I got
500 points
525 points
Persuasive Presentation 2
Outline
200 points, I got
25 points, I got
725 points
750 points
Final Exam (or cumulative quizzes)
150 points, I got
900 points
Class Participation & Preparedness
100 points, I got
1000 points
DO NOT FORGET THAT YOU NEED TO DEDUCT FROM THE TOTAL NUMBER OF
POINTS YOU HAVE EARNED ANY POINTS THAT HAVE BEEN DEDUCTED FROM
YOUR TOTAL BECAUSE OF ABSENCES OR TARDINESS FROM CLASS.
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UNGRADED, INDIVIDUAL DIAGNOSTIC SPEAKING ASSESSMENT
This assignment is to enable your Instructor to see where each student is beginning the speaking
process and what help each student may need in becoming competent at giving public
presentations. Specifically, each student will select a topic of personal interest (see notes below)
and be prepared to present that topic to the class in a 5-minute presentation. Care should be
taken in topic selection since the same topic will be refined for a subsequent assignment.
Plan and prepare (including practicing) your presentation very seriously.
As you have seen, speaking competencies are extremely important in terms of gaining
employment, keeping that employment, and upward mobility after employment. Beyond that,
speaking competencies are each citizen’s most important tools for participation in a democracy.
Everyone has the right to speak her or his mind, but those who can do so clearly and effectively
are the persons who will move others; who will be the leaders in their places of employment,
their communities, and their government. Speaking competencies are lifetime skills and should
be learned as such. Persons who participate in this class only in terms of “doing assignments” or
“getting this required class out of the way” should consider all the “real world” potential they
forfeit without these skills.
This is a public speaking course designed to teach each student the important skills necessary for
competent and effective communication. This is NOT a public forum as specified in the First
Amendment, i.e., all presentations will be informative only. Audience analysis for appropriate
topics and appropriate approaches to specific assignments will be determined by your classroom
Instructor in advance of any presentation. Presentations that are seen as potential distractions
from the primary mission of the class will not be allowed. It is the instructor’s discretion to
require a student to present an opposite or different point of view on any topic chosen for
presentation.
Topics for the ungraded, diagnostic speaking assignment and ALL subsequent assignments will
be approved by your classroom Instructor within the following guidelines:
1) Presentations are to be informative and appropriate for your peers. Do not attempt
to be persuasive; simply inform the audience ABOUT your chosen topic.
2) It is strongly suggested that you do not use any personal life history as topic. That is
to say, the assignment is informative, not narrative.
3) In consideration of the many points of view that may be present in your classroom
audience, no presentation may be made that teaches, advocates, or attempts in any
way to persuade for a particular religious position.
4) No presentation will be accepted that advocates for practices or concepts contrary
to University Policies (e.g., substance abuse).
NOTE AGAIN: The Instructor may disallow topics that in the Instructor’s judgment
would be distracting in the context of the class. It is the Department of Communication
policy that any student failure to give the first, diagnostic presentation will result in the
student being dropped immediately from the course. Student failure to give other
presentations may result in the student being dropped at the discretion of the Instructor.
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Evaluator’s Blind ID#
PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETENCIES
(Please Note: Moving toward a rating of “superior” regards the QUALITY of parts, NOT just their presence. These are nationally
normed criteria. The Department of Communication trains both faculty and TAs in the uniform use of this instrument.)
Eight Competencies Evaluation Sheet
1
2
3
Unsatisfactory
*SCORES*
Competency One:
4
Good
5
Superior
Assignment Specifics
Evidence of Preparations
Evidence of Practice
Within Specified Time
Meets Assignment Requirements
Competency Two:
Introduction
Attention Gaining Material
Thesis/Specific Purpose
Relevance Material
Preview of Points
Transition into Body
Competency Three:
Supporting Material/Body of Presentation (Visual Aid if used)
Good Information (content)
Main Points Clear and Elaborated
Relevance of Evidence (sourced)
Smoothness of Introduction of Evidence
Competency Four:
Observable Organizational Pattern
Clear Organizational Structure
Internal Transitions
Transition from Body into Conclusion
Summary of Points
Definitive Final Statement
Competency Five:
Appropriate Language
Bias-Sensitive Language
Formal Level (no “you” - slang - or unexplained specialized words)
Does not draw attention to speaker or occasion
No Verbal Fillers (“you know”…“like”…etc.
Competency Six:
Vocal Presentation
Rate
Expressiveness/changes in pitch
Intensity/Volume
Competency Seven:
Pronunciation
Grammar
Articulation (Clarity; not reading or memorized rhythm)
Delivery (not halting, not choppy, minimal note involvement)
No Vocalic Fillers (“Uh”…“Er”…“Um”)
Competency Eight:
Nonverbal Support of Presentation
Eye Contact with Audience (not just instructor)
Good Use of Note Cards (must have, not held)
No Complete Sentence on Card (except direct quotations)
Lectern Use (no body parts in contact)
Appearance (no hats, attention to self presentation)
Appropriate use of Gesture and Facial Expression
NO READING
NO READING
NO READING
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Presentation Grading Scale
Presentation Grading Scale
Presentations are graded as follows:
1. Each presentation is evaluated by the Instructor on all eight competencies.
2. A competency rating of “unsatisfactory” receives 1 point; a rating of 2 implies the
beginning of “satisfactory” range; “good” earns 3 points; “excellent” earns 4 points; and
only rare “superior” rates 5 points.
3. The ratings for all competencies are summed, resulting in a total score ranging from 8 to
40 points.
Rating
Points
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
(100pt Presentation)
60
61
63
64
65
66
68
69
70
71
73
74
75
76
78
79
80
81
83
84
85
86
88
89
90
91
93
94
95
96
98
99
100
Grading Points
(150pt Presentation)
90
92
95
96
98
99
102
104
105
107
110
111
113
114
117
119
120
122
125
126
128
129
132
134
135
137
140
141
143
144
147
149
150
(200pt Presentation)
120
122
126
128
130
132
136
138
140
142
146
148
150
152
156
158
160
162
166
168
170
172
176
178
180
182
186
188
190
192
196
198
200
Letter
Grade
D
D+
C-
C
C+
B-
B
B+
A-
A
A+
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Communication Department Expectations and Policies
The University/student relationship is not one of producer and consumer. When students,
parents, scholarships, and/or other funders pay fees in order for a student to attend classes, this
obligates the student to a set of educational responsibilities and expectations. Education is a
process in which critical thinking skills and analysis are concentrated upon throughout one’s
academic career. Following are the expectations and policies of the UAF Communication
Department. These expectations and policies are endorsed by all faculty members and will be
implemented in all Communication classes.
1.
Assignment deadlines: Late assignments will result in the loss of one letter grade
per working day that the assignment is late. The only exception to this policy is a carefully
documented emergency or University sanctioned activity (e.g., scholastic conferences,
athletics). In cases of life contingencies, arrangements must be made to submit work before the
deadline date.
2.
Make-up exams: Make-up exams are only given in Departmentally approved
circumstances, as noted above regarding assignment deadlines. Arrangements for any make-up
exams must be made prior to student’s absence.
Note that in all instances, scheduled final exam times will be adhered to; thus it is
incumbent upon the student to plan travel times accordingly.
3.
Attendance: For those classes which require attendance, note that absence means “not
present,” regardless of “why” you are not present.
4.
Tardiness: Tardiness equals absence in so far as the attendance record is concerned.
Anyone not present when attendance is taken will be listed as absent.
5.
Disruptions: Don’t ever enter a classroom while a student presentation is being given.
This is rude and unfair to those students who are on time. Such disruption can cause severe
speaking apprehension for students who are already less than comfortable in front of a
classroom.
6.
Reading: Getting an education requires careful, concentrated reading. It is expected
by this Department that students spend at least two hours in reading and/or working on a course
before every class meeting. This Department views work outside the classroom as a minimal
expectation and strongly suggests that you should not take this class until you are ready to
meet this expectation.
7.
APA: All assignments must be submitted in correct, current American Psychological
Association (APA) style. If you are unfamiliar with APA style, manuals are available for study,
but not check out, on Reserve Reading in the Library, in the Writing Center, and in the
Communication Department Resource Area (Gruening 503). Good writing and proper written
form are essential skills of any student of Communication.
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8.
Grade Inflation: The following qualitative guidelines suggest the expectations of this
Department regarding grading. This grading policy is adopted from the University’s general
grading guidelines found in the UAF Catalog (Section on Academic Regulations).
A -- An honor grade, indicates originality and independent work, a thorough mastery of the
subject and the satisfactory completion of more work than is regularly required.
B -- Indicates outstanding ability above the average level of performance.
C -- Indicates a satisfactory or average level of performance.
D -- The lowest passing grade, indicates work of below-average quality and performance.
F -- Indicates failure. All “F” grades, including those earned in pass/fail courses, are included in
the GPA calculations.
9.
Incomplete grades: The letter grade “I” (Incomplete) is a temporary grade used to
indicate that the student has satisfactorily completed (C or better) the majority of work in a
course but for reasons beyond the student’s control (such as medical emergencies), has not
been able to complete the course during the regular semester. An Incomplete will only be
assigned in emergencies and only when the student is current in the class until at least the
last three weeks of the semester. Negligence or indifference are not acceptable reasons for an
“I” grade.
10.
Student Code of Conduct: All work on assignments and exams, and all participation in
classes must conform to the UAF Student Code of Conduct, published in the UAF Catalog.
Specifically, the Code prohibits plagiarism, which is presenting of the work of others as one’s
own, whether in writing or in oral presentations. More specifically, plagiarism is using the
words or ideas of another person without a complete citation of the source of the words or ideas.
Paraphrasing another person’s work by rearranging their words or summarizing their ideas also
constitutes plagiarism, unless one provides a complete citation of the source. For courses in
Communication, using more than three words in sequence from another source, without citation,
constitutes plagiarism. Plagiarism is a very serious form of academic dishonesty, and will result
in a zero grade for the assignment in which it occurs, potentially a failing grade for the course,
and the possibility of disciplinary action by the University, as noted in the Student Code of
Conduct.
11.
Accommodations: Any student who has a physical or medically documented learning
challenge is invited to contact your instructor early in the semester so that ways to accommodate
any difficulties can be anticipated. I will work with the Office of Disability Services (203
Whiting, 474-7043) to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities.
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Departmental Policies on Complaints Regarding Instruction
1.
Student complaints. Any student who might wish to complain about instructional
matters regarding a course, a professor, and/or an instructor must follow this formal procedure:
a.
All student complaints must be discussed first and only with the faculty or TA with
whom the student has a complaint or problem, before such complaints will be addressed by any
other member of the faculty, including the Department Chair.
b.
If a student wishes to pursue the issue as a formal complaint, that complaint must be
submitted in writing to the faculty or TA to whom the complaint is directed within one week
following any such aggrieved incident and/or occurrence (e.g., grade complaint, procedure
complaint, teaching incident, etc.).
c.
When the instructor receives a student’s written complaint, s/he will respond in writing
within a reasonable time period and is required to schedule a meeting with the student to
discuss the stated complaint. This results in a possible resolution occurring at the level closest to
its origination.
d.
If, after meeting with the instructor to discuss the written statement, the student does not
believe that the complaint has been sufficiently addressed, s/he may then request that the
instructor schedule a meeting with the student, instructor, and TA Mentor/Department Chair
(depending on whether the instructor is a TA or faculty member). The hierarchy dictates that the
TA Mentor be consulted at this point if the instructor is a TA, whereas the Department Chair be
consulted if the instructor is a faculty member.
e.
Prior to this meeting, the instructor will furnish a copy of the written complaint and
instructor response to the TA Mentor/Department Chair and schedules a meeting for the three
parties. If, after this meeting, the student still does not find that the matter has been sufficiently
addressed, then the Department Chair schedules a private meeting with the student. A written
report of this meeting will be recorded by the Department Chair/Mentor.
f.
Only after this policy has been followed does the matter proceed beyond the Department.
g.
These Departmental policies do not contravene UAF formal policy, e.g., student
grievance and appeals policies.
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Student Information Sheet: (Information for instructor only; will NOT be given out)
Student Information Sheet
Name:
Address:
Phone Number:
UAF e-mail:
Occupation/Career Goals:
Major:
Special Concerns or Needs (e.g., athletic trips, documented disabilities,
etc.)
I, __________________________, acknowledge receipt of the Comm 141X syllabus,
including the Communication Department Expectations and Policies, and understand what
is contained within them. I also understand that there will be consequences for not
adhering to the policies/information presented in these and other class handouts.
Sign/Date ___________________________________
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